Maga Abduction:We’ll Get The Girls Out Soon, Matawalle Assures Kebbi Residents

From : Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi  

Minister of State, Defence, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, has assured the residents of Kebbi that the 25 pupils kidnapped from Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School,Maga, will soon be released.

Matawalle disclosed this while paying a courtesy to the governor of Kebbi State Nasiru Idris, Friday evening where Matawalle, assured him, that the rescue operation was on the right track.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Minister of state for Defence, Bello Matawalle to relocate to Kebbi.

Also the Theater Commander, Fansan Yamma, Major-General Bello Idris Warrah has joined the Minister in search of the abducted students of the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School, Maga, Kebbi State.

“Lots of equipment are moving to Kebbi, we are here as high powered delegation with the Theater Commander, Operation Fansan Yamma, Major-General Bello Idris Warrah, while the GOC 8 Division Sokoto, will join us tomorrow, in conformity with the directive by the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to ensure the release of the abducted school girls.

“We shall coordinate with other Security Agencies to ensure the safe return of our children.

“This is a high sensitive issue, security matters are sensitive, intelligence at hand indicates positivity of the operation.

“The FG has deployed lots of security operatives to cover and block all routes in Kebbi, Zamfara and Niger states.

“We need the cooperation of communities, we are here to support you and your government, we are not here to sit or sleep.

“We have command and control to coordinate on aspects of security, the people of Kebbi should not panic, we’ll get the girls out, all we need are prayers from you to succeed.” Matawalle said.

Responding, Governor Nasir Idris, welcomed the Defence Minister and his team, recalling that  President Tinubu has given marching orders to the Minister and other Officers to relocate to Kebbi to secure the release of our daughters in good condition.

“Those of us who know the Minister, know what he has done on security in Zamfara when he was the governor.

“What happened at Maga is an unfortunate situation, Kebbi people are sad.

“We got an Intel and quickly summoned security meeting to take decision on how to chart the best course of action.

“Security Heads advised us as government, they are in need of logistics to mobilize, we have prioritised security in Kebbi.

“Deployment took place, the military went to the school, but by 3am the military withdrew and by 4am, the bandits struck”, the Governor complained.

Governor Idris there and then appealed to the Minister and other Security Chiefs to find out about such withdrawal,  who gave the order to do so.

“This looks intentional, if intentionally done, those responsible should be brought to book, withdrawal at that material time when Intel shows the bandits are coming.

“I spoke with the Chief of Army Staff on my way to Maga and raised the issue, what happened portrayed our country in bad light.

“If errors were made, correction must be made to avoid a repeat”, Idris said.